The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-09-08
My Story.

We were staying in Rome. although
we had a magnificent home in the
United States upon high hill which
overlooked the sea.
1t was charming place. with its
great lunches of shrubery and aged
trees. but we were never allowed to
stay there-papa kept us travelling
from country to country, from city to
city. in search of moldy pieces of furni-
ture, antique vases. and bits of crum-
bling monuments of all ages and de-
scriptions, until l used to tell Maudie
that we never should again know the
comforts of home, or be allowed to
remain in one place long enough toOe-
come acquainted and get married as
other girls did.
'.It's true" she would say with a
smile of resignation. Papa cares
more to-day for the welfare of that
Egyptian maiden over there than he
does for ours. Bel"
laughed little at this and glanced
over at the still, straight form. wrap
ped in coarse mating. and carefully
boxed. which papa obliged us to keep
in our own room for safety, regardless
of any superstitious fears which might
trouble lis, or any fancful dreams
which might be inspired by the con-
slant association with defunct damsel
Of three thousand years of age.
1t was genuine Egyptian mummy,
and papa expended more toll and care
upon it than he ever did upon any liv-
ing woman, besides dollars enough to
have portioned off both his daughters.
And to crown all. he insisted upon
our tolerating its unwelcome presence;
we must have an eye upon it constantly.
he could not think of send ng it home
without going with it himself. 1t might
be broken by careless expressmen. and
its sacred dust be mingled with mere
pleban soil, and, stronger reason than
all, she might meet with some admirer
even more affectionate than our doting
papa, and be spirited away like the
fair bride in the poem of young Loeb
invar.
But then we had long dwelt in close
proximity to the cast-off bones of giants
and mastodons, and relics taken from
the graves of druids, and Cleopatra.
as we had named her. proved to be a
not intrusive companion after all; SO
we never thought of her unless it was
when we were talking over our griev-
ances and wishing that we might at
least have one admirer apiece and be
like other girls of our own age.
But we did not know-ah! how could
we knowp-that that girlish wish was
but the preface to fate which either
Maudie or myself would have laid
down our life to have kept from the
other.
All. why need it have been! How
sad to know that if even the strongest
affection of woman be fully returned.
that some underlying sorrow must &C
company tito mar the happiness which
would otherwise be perfect
do not think two sisters were ever
dearer to each other than Maudie and
myself.
Maud and Mable were our names;
she was Is, was 20. We were both
brunettes, and looked so much alike
that one was often mistaken for the
other.
My own eyes told me that Maudie
was pretty and bewitching, and ! was
ever pleased to be told that my sister
resembled me greatly.
It was the very day after our little
conversation in our room that papa
came into our presence tidgeting about
with excitement concerning purchase
he had just made.
II lave secured all the old pictures
and the plate belonging to the old
Lorazzf palace" he said, breathlessly.
THE palace has been shut up for years,
and I made the best of my opportunity
and bought up everything OF value as
soon as it was opened"
But how did they come to open it,?
supposed it was nothing but ruin, !"
asked Maudie.
ut has just been purchased by a
young American gentleman. who
thinks the pictures are worthless be-
cause they have been mutilated some
what, and that the plate is but pewter,
and lie may be right but it is old and
the crest upon it would sell it in New
York for ten times the price paid for
it."
"He must be rarity-this American
who believes anything which belongs to
him is not simon pure perfection in its
way"
He is very agreeable gentleman
my dears," replied my father, smiling
shyly, land is coming this evening to
attend the theater with us, so that you
will have a chance to judge for your
selves"
"Oh. goodie," 1 cried, laughing.
lone does get so tired of going about
with only ones father for an attend
ant"
II knew that news would please you,
BEL" returned papa.
IF only he is young" put in Maudie.
"Papa's young gentlemen have pro-
voking way of turning into middle aged
men who have just finished some piece
of br c-a.brac, warranted to be a thous-
and years old"
This American will turn out differ
entiv." replied papa.
You are using the wrong word. pa
pa. Mr.. Arden, the Englishman who
introduced us to his family in Paris.
called lis United States'ns. This must
be United States'n too"
you have not told us his name,"
said Maudie.
''True. true" replied papa. despond-
ingly. "A name that would be of no
use to the poor creature. Bel would
manufacture new one for him in half
an hour"
Il like to see names fitted to their
wearer." replied, lightly.
'.Or hear them" concluded Maudie,
precisely. Papa, what is this United
Staies'n like ?"
Il could not tell you." replied papa,
desperately. But I am sorry that ]
concluded to sacrifice him. His peace
Of mind will be wrecked forever"
Papa left us at this iuncture. and we
had just time to brighten up our toilets
for the evening before dinner time.
Just at dusk the gentleman arrived
n~I hTouAsa onA ona1Id